Overweight Fitness Instructor - thoughts?

sd101483
sd101483 Posts: 419 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
My gym has been offering Zumba classes and has had a strong interest, I just finally made it to one and had a BLAST! Only to find out that the instructor is no longer going to be doing it. I thought, huh, I should do it - said it out loud kind of as a what if, but, a lot of people since have expressed a strong interest in my doing so. I said I would do it when I finally "got skinny" but many people have expressed that they don't care that I'm not. I have a very outgoing personality and I completely have the stamina for it - I workout pretty intensely quite often, and think I would be fine in that regard. I also think it would help me reach my fitness goals as well...I have several people behind me that said they'd absolutely come if I taught it, and it sounds as if the owner of the fitness center would be behind it too...I'm just slightly self concious about being a chunky "fitness" instructor. Then again, as someone pointed out, it may draw in more people because they would be less intimidated.

Thoughts?
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Replies

  • sdickman
    sdickman Posts: 25 Member
    I think it would be WAY less intimidating to see someone that I can relate to teaching a class! You should definitely go for it!
  • LauriinSB
    LauriinSB Posts: 34 Member
    I agree, way less intimidating to not have a super skinny instructor, plus you could give a lot of encouragement to your class. Go for it!
  • paubanda
    paubanda Posts: 34
    GO FOR IT! DON'T LET THIS BE ANOTHER STEREO TYPE THAT HOLDS YOU BACK! THIS WILL BENEFIT U AS WELL! GOOD LUCK! U MOTIVATED ME TO TRY ZUMBA TOO!
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    Go for it! I think it would be inspiring to others to have you share your journey!
  • bjshields
    bjshields Posts: 677 Member
    Do it!! You sound like a great fitness instructor to me!. And by the way, I am not at my goal weight/size YET, but I am also studying to be a certified personal trainer. I totally believe I will get there. You will, too; go for it!:smile:
  • MandeeSue
    MandeeSue Posts: 153
    I think it would be WAY less intimidating to see someone that I can relate to teaching a class! You should definitely go for it!
    I agree, go for it !!
  • Newmammaluv
    Newmammaluv Posts: 379 Member
    I think it is a great idea ESPECIALLY because it is Zumba... I feel all sorts of funny at home doing Zumba when I feel things moving aroung a little more than I would like but if I could watch someone or have an instructor who didn't look like she was made out of hard plastic doing it with me I would feel WAY better!!
  • Sparren
    Sparren Posts: 106
    I used to have the same thoughts - and was in the same situation as you - my Zumba instructor was calling it quits and asked if I'd be interested.

    I am by no means "skinny", and I'm not even the lightest in my class, but I am a Zumba instructor and I love it! Go for it!
  • hayley_m
    hayley_m Posts: 61 Member
    yeah you should definitely do it!! you can connect with your class on another level then and share the weight loss/tone up journey together!! good luck!!
  • roxanne90
    roxanne90 Posts: 95
    Go for it.............and have a blast :)
  • Fat2FitChick
    Fat2FitChick Posts: 451 Member
    I think you should do it!! Your making progress and the people in your class will see your transformation right before their eyes showing them that their goals are achievable. I don't know about you but sometimes it makes me angry when I thin person is training me because I always feel like they don't know what it feels like to be carrying an extra 40 lbs but when I see someone who started out like me and and I see them getting fit and they are working just as hard as they are pushing me to work I am motivated to work just as hard. You can do it!!
  • new_me_9_67
    new_me_9_67 Posts: 369 Member
    To quote the famous Nike slogan..."Just do it"
    I agree with sdicman as well and it would be a great motivator for the students to see you up there (I hope that doesn't sounds bad)

    Best of luck and I hope you do it.
    Please let us know what your decision is.

    Have fun
  • drea0087
    drea0087 Posts: 11
    Go for it! I've seen many overweight fitness instructors & trainers who are great & a lot of them have reached a healthier weight over time!
  • kathyhull
    kathyhull Posts: 327 Member
    I'm with everyone else here - Zumba's all about having fun. I say DO IT!
  • ChunTingO
    ChunTingO Posts: 225 Member
    do it!!!!! people can relate! i would so go!
  • roxanne90
    roxanne90 Posts: 95
    I think it is a great idea ESPECIALLY because it is Zumba... I feel all sorts of funny at home doing Zumba when I feel things moving aroung a little more than I would like but if I could watch someone or have an instructor who didn't look like she was made out of hard plastic doing it with me I would feel WAY better!!

    Oh I agree :)
  • kaylou
    kaylou Posts: 375 Member
    Absolutly do it!!! I say go for it! I would go to the class no matter what the instructor looked like. As long as I got a good workout and had fun!
  • caseymcq
    caseymcq Posts: 55
    I agree with everyone else! Having an instructor who is going through the same thing I am would be a little more encouraging, I think. Sort of like "we are doing this together"! Good luck on your weighloss journey, though in whatever you decide!
  • mmiley1111
    mmiley1111 Posts: 36 Member
    Go for it. I use to take a step class and the teacher was about 40lbs over weight and I loved her class.
  • thefreemans28
    thefreemans28 Posts: 267 Member
    I would go to your class! It's always so intimidating to walk into class only to see a super skinny chick up there in her tight pants and sports bra with a 6-pack! And it sounds to me like you've got a ton of support! I say go for it! if anything, like you said, it'll help you achieve your own goals faster! It'll keep you accountable for HAVING to work out and not making excuses to not do it!
  • JMJohnson1005
    JMJohnson1005 Posts: 209 Member
    I agree, less intimidating! I say go for it!
  • jamaka1
    jamaka1 Posts: 412 Member
    this sounds like a really proof in the puddng; GO 4 IT:bigsmile:
  • TonysMiss
    TonysMiss Posts: 128 Member
    I say ABSOLUTELY go for it!!!!! I think it would be refreshing to see someone who is instructing that isn't a size "teeny" ;-) It would set a positive example for other women. You can be not so teeny and be in good shape, you can be not so teeny and be confident, you can be not so teeny and...... I think you see where I'm going with this. If your in my area let me know!!!!! = 0 ) Zip code is 98059
    Good luck to you!
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    DO IT!
    Why NOT?
  • sunshine121980
    sunshine121980 Posts: 5
    Go for it! Who says fitness instructors have to be model thin? It will show that you are also human and obstacles to overcome. And when you do get skinny you will still be able to tell your students about the "before" you and even show them pictures to give them even more hope and keep them on the right road. Good luck!
  • crystal10584
    crystal10584 Posts: 334
    hell yeah! go for it! I always get intimidated by the super fit instructors...
  • TaneeisFitforLife
    TaneeisFitforLife Posts: 433
    Go for it! Your students will relate more to you :)
  • aanaya56
    aanaya56 Posts: 136
    I say go for it... The reason for that is people can see that you are also doing this because you are trying to lose weight and stay fit... That motivates others to continue coming to class... My friend is a Zumba instructor and she is ummm big boned.. But I love it because she doesnt make you feel uncomfortable at all... You just keep getting inspired by them ...
  • bigjean
    bigjean Posts: 32 Member
    shoooo reminds me some coaches, looked like they never played football but they know what they doin so go for it
  • weallhaveastory
    weallhaveastory Posts: 54
    PLEASE go for it! The people need you.
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